Colonist football has been a fall tradition in the Rodriguez family for more than 50 years. It all began when Albert and Estela met when they were in high school. After graduating in 1954 from rival Valencia High, where he was a star athlete, Albert continued attending the AHS football games with Estela and her many family members who attended Anaheim High.

Someone in the family was always playing football or cheering or playing in the marching band. Albert and Estela, always wearing Colonist spirit wear, attended all these events.

Along with his support of Anaheim as a booster, Albert also served as a track coach for Anaheim High and other local schools. Some of the athletes he coached while at AHS became state and national champions, including Ylena Carrasco, a Class of ’86 grad who will the first female Orange County athlete to clear 6 feet in the high jump. He also coached students who were members of his Anaheim Atoms AAU Track and Field club.

With two daughters who graduated 12 years apart, he had ample opportunity to be an active parent booster in sports and band during that time. He has literally driven thousands of miles transporting his daughters and their friends to numerous sports and performing arts events.

Whatever was needed for the school he was always willing to pitch in to promote student activities and excellence. He understands the value in helping in any way he can to support the sons and daughters of Anaheim High School, said his daughter Angela, who was an Anaheim High athlete, band member and a cheerleader.

Albert’s brother-in-law Albert Miranda, a Class of 1965 grad, was also the recipient of “Big Al’s” support. The younger Albert, a tennis star at Anaheim and a Vietnam veteran who is helping establish a memorial for his fallen classmates on the school campus, credits many of his life accomplishments to his mentor who he said has been a “friend and the best role model a person could ask for.” He praised his brother-in-law as a person who “always set the bar high and has challenged those around him to participate in life rather than to just sit around as on-lookers.”

Angela summed up the reason her father was deserving of the award: “Though my dad may have married into the Colonist family, he has always demonstrated a strong commitment to family, friends and community, a zest for living life and for striving to challenge one’s self to reach new heights. He is part dad, part coach and ALL Colonist!”

Nominations for this award can be sent to anaheimalumni@yahoo.com.